The Jungle----- to get into locating or not---need your input

**scrappy57** · August 15th, 2010, 11:35 AM

Been enjoying reading your posts so much. First time I have posted. I have a lot of locating experience but it was years ago. I have 23 years in the telephone industry as a field surveyor and was the eyes and legs for the company. I can really relate to the field enviornment. I was forced out of the company I had all those years with but that's another story. I have been doing other things for the past 7 years but have yearned to return to where most of my abilities are. I thought locating might be something I could embrace and run with but after finding this forum, I'm not so sure. I am 58 and not happy about that. I am a young 58 I think. Except for depending on glasses I am still pretty much the same as always. I was thinking strongly of going to a 5 day training and certification course before trying to get my foot in the door with a company. My worst fear is that after going thru the course and spending the money, no one will consider me due to my age. I still have 9 years before retirement and if I am still healthy I will work as long as it makes sense. My other option at this point is truck driving. I enjoy using my mind and body, plus I like being out and about. I was the guy who drew the notes and did the field work to create a job to be built by construction. I also have done some construction inspection. Our company did do some utility locating so we would have a good idea of where NOT to propose to bury a new cable. We used the basic cable hound, MetroTech, Cat and Jenny. I would need a refresher cause I don't recall everything I used to know. The other thing is I would hate to get caught up in a deal where you get unfairly treated by these locate companies. I am sure there are good companies out there who would treat you right. I have a squeaky clean driving record, I am honest, dependable, and sometimes downright onery. Any thoughts on whether or not you'd do the 5 day course and go for locating as a career this late in the game. Thanks

**Mke** · August 15th, 2010, 01:30 PM

well scrappy, looks like you put some thought into it already. If you are at an impasse, you have to remember that no matter what job you get, it is still going to suck the remaining life out of you. Weather it is driving truck, or locating. You are always going to have trainers who don't take their time to show you everything, and a boss who thinks you can go faster. I look at it this way. Go for Locating, after training, and a couple of months in the field you can have a better understanding of what the locating industry has to offer. If you don't like it, then you can switch over to Trucking. If you went into trucking first, most driving schools will wave the schooling fees as long as you can work for them for a year. That kinda locks you in for at least a year.

As for paying for locating training? That should come free from the prospective company....... should anyways.

Goodluck

mke

**orangeboots** · August 15th, 2010, 01:31 PM

I personally would save the money on the class most companies want you trained the company way. Also with your background i don't think age will be a big deal after a few months in the field you have great credentials for trainer or audit/damage person,not quite so hard on the body but more mental.

**Wingfoot** · August 15th, 2010, 04:39 PM

Hey scrappy - Welcome to the'Vine! Glad to have you on board! I live & work 90 miles north of you in the Kansas City, Missouri area. I am a USICer and we secured the Embark contract in Missouri from a competitor this summer. We are still making adjustments to handle the ticket loads encountered.

Short of your orneriness, you are very qualified to be a locator. IF you can pass the whiz-quiz, my suggestion is to have you apply @ USIC for a western Missouri position or an eastern Kansas position by sending your resumé to mfreeman@Source2.com. Good Luck buddy.......

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**FiosKing** · August 15th, 2010, 04:48 PM

you do not need a course the company you sign on with will train you, i would not waste your money... hell since you are older they might even just give you a supervisor job since thats what most of these companies do lol

**locator00566** · August 15th, 2010, 09:13 PM

I would not recommend USIC. They treat their employees like dirt.

**yahoo** · August 15th, 2010, 09:17 PM

everyone will say "this job is not for everyone" and that is correct ..but the only way you'll know is to try it out. if a company will hire you and are willing to train you then only you will know within a 6 months or so if it is really for you . It can be labor intensive at times but driving will take a load off now and then! since you have some ideology of utilities then I think it willl go well for you....Godspeed to you in your journey!

**[HAF]Foxtrot** · August 16th, 2010, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by scrappy57

Been enjoying reading your posts so much. First time I have posted. I have a lot of locating experience but it was years ago. I have 23 years in the telephone industry as a field surveyor and was the eyes and legs for the company. I can really relate to the field enviornment. I was forced out of the company I had all those years with but that's another story. I have been doing other things for the past 7 years but have yearned to return to where most of my abilities are. I thought locating might be something I could embrace and run with but after finding this forum, I'm not so sure. I am 58 and not happy about that. I am a young 58 I think. Except for depending on glasses I am still pretty much the same as always. I was thinking strongly of going to a 5 day training and certification course before trying to get my foot in the door with a company. My worst fear is that after going thru the course and spending the money, no one will consider me due to my age. I still have 9 years before retirement and if I am still healthy I will work as long as it makes sense. My other option at this point is truck driving. I enjoy using my mind and body, plus I like being out and about. I was the guy who drew the notes and did the field work to create a job to be built by construction. I also have done some construction inspection. Our company did do some utility locating so we would have a good idea of where NOT to propose to bury a new cable. We used the basic cable hound, MetroTech, Cat and Jenny. I would need a refresher cause I don't recall everything I used to know. The other thing is I would hate to get caught up in a deal where you get unfairly treated by these locate companies. I am sure there are good companies out there who would treat you right. I have a squeaky clean driving record, I am honest, dependable, and sometimes downright onery. Any thoughts on whether or not you'd do the 5 day course and go for locating as a career this late in the game. Thanks

If you do, go with a non GPS company like CUS, private mom/pop locating company, locate for a utility company/for the city/school system and stay away from USIC.

**scrappy57** · August 19th, 2010, 02:05 PM

Thank you very much for the sound advice. I appreciate all who responded. Sorry it took me so long to get back.

**scrappy57** · August 30th, 2010, 10:08 AM

To all of you that responded to my post about getting into locating, I wanted to say THANKS! Sorry it took so long to get back.

**yahoo** · August 30th, 2010, 08:08 PM

see you soon dude!!!

**Utilitrack** · August 31st, 2010, 09:25 AM

Not sure if you were union or not in your telephone career, but my experience is that former union people do not last long in this industry...good luck.

**Locate Mack** · August 31st, 2010, 03:20 PM

There is another option, survey firms. I worked for CLS in the beginnig of my career, and then moved to locating for design with a survey firm. It is a different animal, but it may be beneficial if you can get with a good firm.